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The Dragoneers of Kinella #1
The Dragoneers of Longbourn and Pemberley: a Pride and Prejudice fantasy retelling
It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that the power of dragons establishes the dignity of a house.
Only Valeraine Longbourn believes in her house’s elderly dragon. To prove his prowess, she disguises herself and flies in the dragon derbies — deadly races that only admit men.
If Valeraine wins, the kingdom will finally respect her dragon. She’ll secure a dragon egg, saving Longbourn house. If Valeraine is discovered, she’ll ruin her family along with herself.
Once Valeraine tastes the sky, she realizes dragoneering is more than status or wealth — it’s what burns inside her.
All Mr. Pemberley cares about are his thirty-one dragons. He isn’t looking for a bride, especially not one as vexing as Valeraine.
After a horrible first impression, Valeraine wants nothing more than to out-fly Pemberley. And yet, they’re drawn to each other. As they clash, they become tangled in each other's secrets, fully known with terrible clarity.
This Pride and Prejudice fantasy retelling is closed door. It’s perfect for fans of Half a Soul and Jane Austen, with the daring adventure of Mulan and the scandal sheets of Bridgerton.
Only Valeraine Longbourn believes in her house’s elderly dragon. To prove his prowess, she disguises herself and flies in the dragon derbies — deadly races that only admit men.
If Valeraine wins, the kingdom will finally respect her dragon. She’ll secure a dragon egg, saving Longbourn house. If Valeraine is discovered, she’ll ruin her family along with herself.
Once Valeraine tastes the sky, she realizes dragoneering is more than status or wealth — it’s what burns inside her.
All Mr. Pemberley cares about are his thirty-one dragons. He isn’t looking for a bride, especially not one as vexing as Valeraine.
After a horrible first impression, Valeraine wants nothing more than to out-fly Pemberley. And yet, they’re drawn to each other. As they clash, they become tangled in each other's secrets, fully known with terrible clarity.
This Pride and Prejudice fantasy retelling is closed door. It’s perfect for fans of Half a Soul and Jane Austen, with the daring adventure of Mulan and the scandal sheets of Bridgerton.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2025
7 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 19, 2026
This is a really fun read that has all the vibes of Pride and Prejudice mixed with Bridgerton, but with dragon riders!
There are enough differences between Austen and this book so that it’s not a paint by numbers retelling, and I grew to love the characters. My biggest criticism would be that, as a retelling, I knew what plot points to expect, meaning the story sometimes lacked tension for me.
All in all, a solid read, and something for then Austen/Julia Quinn fan who also loves some cozy fantasy!
There are enough differences between Austen and this book so that it’s not a paint by numbers retelling, and I grew to love the characters. My biggest criticism would be that, as a retelling, I knew what plot points to expect, meaning the story sometimes lacked tension for me.
All in all, a solid read, and something for then Austen/Julia Quinn fan who also loves some cozy fantasy!
December 5, 2025
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review…
This is not my usual genre to read. I’m much more of sc-fi, dark romance girly.
But the way I was rooting for Val 😭 I think I’ll think of her forever.
Such good story telling by Cahenzli!
Did I hate Bennington? Absolutely. Did my heart change? Like Val. 💀
Such a quick and easy, and just a warm story to read!
I’ll be keeping an eye out for other works by Cahenzli!
This is not my usual genre to read. I’m much more of sc-fi, dark romance girly.
But the way I was rooting for Val 😭 I think I’ll think of her forever.
Such good story telling by Cahenzli!
Did I hate Bennington? Absolutely. Did my heart change? Like Val. 💀
Such a quick and easy, and just a warm story to read!
I’ll be keeping an eye out for other works by Cahenzli!
November 12, 2025
Even if you think you know Pride and Prejudice, the aerial twists and turns will keep you hooked. Hate and love Mr. Darcy all over again, with a cozy happy ending
February 27, 2026
A fresh, original take on a classic! I really enjoyed reading this. There were enough similarities that I could recognize the inspiration (Pride and Prejudice), but enough differences to keep me guessing the whole time. I appreciated Valerian’s motivations for her actions, she is a dynamic, engaging heroine. Her parents were more relatable to the modern-day psyche than the original Mr and Mrs Bennett. The world-building with the dragons and the roles they played and the roles of those who took care of them were very well thought-out. A well-crafted, fun read! The main reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because it is a retelling; I would love to read a fully original story from this author!!!
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
November 7, 2025
I did not know a retelling of one of my favorite books could have me on the edge of my seat, reading through the night, but here we are. In short, it was epic.
From the beginning, I recognized that I had no idea what was really going to happen, and that was exhilarating. The characters and the plot elements were all different enough that I felt like I should say this book was inspired by Pride and Prejudice, rather than calling it a retelling. And it was beautiful! It's the kind of book that makes you appreciate the original so much more. It showed different perspectives of some of the characters and events that I think could still reflect what happened in the original story, and I loved that. It was just so wonderful.
As a Pride and Prejudice fan, one of my favorite parts of this book was the way the relationships between the sisters were a little different from those of their counterparts in the original book. It was sweet to read how they faced this alternate world together. And Valeraine, wow! What a girl boss! Her big dreams and the way she chased them were so inspiring.
My husband can attest to the fact that I enjoyed reading this book, as I was continually updating him on what happened and analyzing everything with him. It's been a while since I've read a book like that, so this was such a fun experience. Thank you, Chloe Cahenzli!
From the beginning, I recognized that I had no idea what was really going to happen, and that was exhilarating. The characters and the plot elements were all different enough that I felt like I should say this book was inspired by Pride and Prejudice, rather than calling it a retelling. And it was beautiful! It's the kind of book that makes you appreciate the original so much more. It showed different perspectives of some of the characters and events that I think could still reflect what happened in the original story, and I loved that. It was just so wonderful.
As a Pride and Prejudice fan, one of my favorite parts of this book was the way the relationships between the sisters were a little different from those of their counterparts in the original book. It was sweet to read how they faced this alternate world together. And Valeraine, wow! What a girl boss! Her big dreams and the way she chased them were so inspiring.
My husband can attest to the fact that I enjoyed reading this book, as I was continually updating him on what happened and analyzing everything with him. It's been a while since I've read a book like that, so this was such a fun experience. Thank you, Chloe Cahenzli!
March 25, 2026
This book was a blast! The characters were fun and I LOVED the dragon element. The dragon system is so interesting as they are majestic and grand but also a part of society. And the plot had all the strong story elements of Pride and Prejudice without all the 1800 eccentricities that don’t age well in the original (the female friendships in this book are so much better than in Austens version).
Looking forward to the authors next book! 🐉
Looking forward to the authors next book! 🐉
September 29, 2025
I got the chance to be one of the beta readers for this book. Its so good! Full of twists and turns! I highly recommend this book to any Pride and Prejudice fans.
November 30, 2025
Delightful! I didn't want to put it down!
October 10, 2025
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book! This book made me love the characters. It sucked me in and had me rooting for them.
The premise of the book is well set out. It sets the stakes high, without being melodramatic. I didn't know where things were going, and in fact, I guessed the plot wrong. The plot twists were so cool!
It has a satisfying, fun ending. It's very clever how things get wrapped up at the end.
I say as someone who hasn't really been into Jane Austen or romcoms before. So, I would probably enjoy it EVEN MORE if I knew the whole plot of Pride and Prejudice and was a Jane Austen fan.
The premise of the book is well set out. It sets the stakes high, without being melodramatic. I didn't know where things were going, and in fact, I guessed the plot wrong. The plot twists were so cool!
It has a satisfying, fun ending. It's very clever how things get wrapped up at the end.
I say as someone who hasn't really been into Jane Austen or romcoms before. So, I would probably enjoy it EVEN MORE if I knew the whole plot of Pride and Prejudice and was a Jane Austen fan.
March 4, 2026
This book does a great job of balancing the things you know and love about Pride & Prejudice and still keeping you on your toes
November 28, 2025
I love all things Pride and Prejudice, so I was excited to read this fantasy retelling. If you love dragons, this is the book for you! You are introduced to a world that is familiar, but different enough that you are on the edge of your seat to see what plot twists will play out.
I was struck how much the characters all think they are doing the right things for the right reasons, and how much other people couldn't see their actions in the same light. This of course leads to all the angst and misunderstandings in the book. It also makes the characters entirely relatable and deserving of our empathy.
By the end, you are cheering for them all.
I was struck how much the characters all think they are doing the right things for the right reasons, and how much other people couldn't see their actions in the same light. This of course leads to all the angst and misunderstandings in the book. It also makes the characters entirely relatable and deserving of our empathy.
By the end, you are cheering for them all.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews